The hundreds of glowing koi were now pursuing them actively, moving far faster than before now that they had the blood current assisting their speed instead of fighting against it.
Moon urged Mirage forward, tightening his grip slightly without causing the horse pain. "Go, Mirage! Faster!"
Mirage responded immediately, his new fin-like tail pumping with increased vigor, propelling them forward through the blood with everything he had.
Despite Mirage's incredible aquatic speed, far beyond what he'd possessed before his evolution, he was still carrying two full-grown passengers on his back. The additional weight prevented him from accelerating enough to create meaningful distance from the pursuing swarm.
Within seconds, the koi had caught up to Moon's group entirely and within moments, they'd engulfed them completely.
